U.S. Department of Justice Sues Harvard University Over Admissions Data Compliance for Assessing Discriminatory Practices

Massachusetts — The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Harvard University on Tuesday, alleging the university failed to provide admissions data necessary for a federal civil rights compliance review following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

The lawsuit, brought by the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, claims Harvard unlawfully withheld key documents and applicant-level admissions data requested as part of the department’s review of whether the university continues to consider race in its admissions process.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi said the department is seeking greater transparency from educational institutions that receive federal funding.

“Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination,” Bondi said in a statement. “We will continue fighting to put merit over DEI across America.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, who leads the Civil Rights Division, said universities are expected to cooperate fully with federal compliance reviews. She stated that refusal to provide requested documentation raises concerns about institutional practices.

According to the complaint, Harvard allegedly delayed production timelines and declined to produce certain individualized applicant admissions records, admissions policies, and correspondence related to race, ethnicity, diversity initiatives, and communications concerning the Students for Fair Admissions case.

The DOJ argues that as a recipient of federal financial assistance, Harvard is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal funds. The department contends that Harvard’s failure to produce requested records constitutes a breach of a material term of its federal funding agreements.

The lawsuit does not accuse Harvard of racial discrimination. Instead, it seeks a court order compelling the university to provide documents related to any consideration of race in admissions to allow the department to complete its compliance review.

Harvard has not publicly responded to the lawsuit as of Tuesday afternoon.